INVESTIGATION REPORTYellowdindi Road - 299-510-0002

Investigation into VicForests' Compliance with Cool Temperate Rainforest Ecological Buffer Prescriptions under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act Action Statement #238 for the Threatened

Ecological Vegetation Class Cool Temperate Rainforest

AbstractVicForests scheduled and active clearfell logging coupe 299-510-0002 was investigated to determine planning and operational compliance with the regulatory framework relevant to the protection of rainforest during logging operations within Victorian State Forest. The "ecotone" between the rainforest and the sclerophyll forest within the study area was identified using the mandatory "differential species method" for identifying rainforest boundaries. All ecotone, logging activity and coupe demarcation location details were recorded and analysed using GPS mapping software. The results of this process demonstrate that the "ecological rainforest buffer" required to ensure protection of the rainforest stand on site has not been adequately provided and logging activities such as bulldozing and tree falling have occurred within this protection zone.

Relevant LegislationCode of Practice for Timber Production (Section 2.2.2), Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2007 ;

Central Highlands Forest Management Plan (Chapter 3, Biodiversity Conservation), DNRE, East Melbourne, 1998;

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1998) Action Statement #238 Cool Temperate Rainforest; Dry Rainforest (Limestone), Warm Temperate Rainforest (Coastal East Gippsland); Warm Temperate Rainforest (Cool Temperate Overlap; Howe Range); Warm Temperate Rainforest (East Gippsland Alluvial Terraces); Warm Temperate Rainforest (Far East Gippsland); Human activity which results in artificially elevated or epidemic levels of Myrtle Wilt within Nothofagus dominated Cool Temperate Rainforest, Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, June 2009;

Management Procedures for timber harvesting, roading and regeneration in Victoria's State forests 2009, Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, October 2009, (Section 1.4.6(c)).

Organisations participant in breachVicForestsLogging contractors operating in coupe 299-510-0002

Status of SiteLogging operations are ongoing within the subject coupe.

Date of Investigation15/09/2012

Surveyor/AuthorAndrew Lincoln

Date of report18/09/2012

Location detailsWithin and adjacent to VicForests scheduled and active clearfell logging coupe 299-510-0002 along Yellowdindi Road in the Toolangi State Forest.

Figure A. Detail from: "Approved TRP Map (with amendments applied) Central FMA, Toolangi, (2011 - 2016)", VicForests, posted on website 06 September 2012

- Investigation location

Figure B. Aerial view of study location prior to logging operations now commenced

- Investigation location

Method Used – CTRF-WSF Ecotone/-1 mapping (ECOTONE_-1_10m)Following the directions set out in “A Field Guide to Rainforest Identification in Victoria: Differential species keys for the delineation of rainforest boundaries”1, in particular the section dealing with “Central Highlands North-west Cool Temperate Forest Floristic Field Identification Key”, species listed as either “Differential Species for Central Highlands Cool Temperate Rainforest”(CTRF) or species listed as “Differential Species for Central Highlands Wet Sclerophyll Forest”(WSF) were searched for on the topographical contour at the locations labeled in "green" in the “Results” section below.

Rainforest inspection was begun at the location given in Table 1. as "YDDRFS02". This location was searched for CTRF differential species from the center of the rainforest stand which was the center of Yellowdindi Creek.

From this location the ecotone was identified between the rainforest and sclerophyll forest towards the north-east edge of the rainforest stand using the differential species approach; i.e. where there was an even ratio of sclerophyll and rainforest differential species present (i.e. 4/4; 1/1 ratio of differential species), or at least one more rainforest differential species, (i.e. 3 sclerophyll forest species and 4 rainforest species present), thus mapping a line closer towards the rainforest side of the ecotone than the sclerophyll forest.

This method was repeatedly applied to determine the ecotone between the CTRF and WSF communities whilst traversing the ecotone in a north-westerly and then northerly direction advancing towards Yellowdindi Road.

This approach is required to be employed by the Management Procedures for timber harvesting, roading and regeneration in Victoria's State forests 2009,2 Section 1.4.6(c).

This “rainforest extent” path was recorded as waypoints on a GPS, usually at a distance of less than 10m, and is displayed in the following “Results” section [Table 1 and Figure 1].

1 Cameron, David, A Field Guide to Rainforest Identification in Victoria: Differential species keys for the delineation of rainforest boundaries, Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, 2008

2 Management Pro cedures for timber harvesting, roading and regeneration in Victoria's State forests 2009 , Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, October 2009

Results - 1The following differential species were included in the ecotone discovered on site.

Table A. Differential species participating in the ecotone at this location:

Abbreviation Botanical Name Common Name

Differential Species for CH Cool Temperate Rainforest

Differential Species for CH Wet Sclerophyll Forest

Ab Asplenium bulbiferum Mother Spleenwort YESAm Atherosperma moschatum Southern Sassafras YESBc Blechnum chambersii Lance Water-fern YESBf Blechnum fluviatile Ray Water-fern YESBm Billardiera macrantha Purple Apple-berry YESCa Cassinia aculeata Common Cassinia YESCl Correa lawrenceana Mountain Correa YESCv Crepidomanes venosum Veined Bristle-fern YESHa Hymenophyllum australe Austral Filmy-fern YESHh Hydrocotyle hirta Hairy Pennywort YESGb Grammitis billardierei Common Finger-fern YESLe Lepidosperma elatius Tall Sword Sedge YESMp Microsorum pustulatum Kangaroo Fern YESOp Olearia phlogopappa Dusty Daisy-bush YESPb Parsonsia brownii Twining Silkpod YESPe Pteridium esculentum Austral Braken YESPl Prostanthera lasianthos Victoian Christmas Bush YESPs Polyscias sambucifolia Elderberry Panax YESTb Todea barbara Austral King-fern YESZa Zieria arborescens Stinkwood YES

Results - 2The following table lists all location data recorded on site.

Table 1. All location data recorded on site.Key Guide Investigation / Rainforest-Sclerophyll Ecotone Coupe Demarcation (Blue Tape) / Logging Activity

Waypoint

Symbol Co-ordinates Elev. Waypoint

Symbol Co-ordinates Elev.

YDDRFS0

2

● - Key Guide

Investigation Location

55 H 374469 5848774 716 m

570 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374360 5849097 693 m 426 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374537 5848769 601 m

571 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374360 5849099 690 m 427 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374532 5848771 601 m

572 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374367 5849108 692 m 428 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374530 5848770 600 m

573 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374371 5849108 689 m 429 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374524 5848771 598 m

574 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374368 5849114 690 m 430 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374522 5848770 598 m

575 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374368 5849116 689 m 431 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374517 5848777 597 m

576 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374373 5849123 690 m 432 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374516 5848777 597 m

577 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374374 5849131 689 m 433 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374510 5848782 596 m

578 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374374 5849131 688 m 434 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374504 5848791 596 m

579 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374372 5849141 686 m 435 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374496 5848792 594 m

580 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374371 5849147 687 m 436 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374494 5848794 594 m

581 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374367 5849164 683 m 437 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374486 5848799 594 m

582 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374361 5849173 684 m 438 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374484 5848801 592 m

583 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374359 5849177 683 m 439 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374478 5848803 591 m

584 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374360 5849178 686 m 440 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374470 5848809 590 m

585 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374357 5849173 683 m 441 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374464 5848829 590 m

586 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374356 5849157 685 m 442 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374458 5848831 589 m

587 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374356 5849153 686 m 443 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374454 5848847 591 m

588 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374360 5849139 685 m 444 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374453 5848852 591 m

589 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374361 5849133 686 m 445 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374442 5848857 590 m

590 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374361 5849126 686 m 446 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374441 5848860 589 m

591 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374361 5849116 686 m 447 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374437 5848864 588 m

592 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374360 5849115 687 m 448 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374436 5848864 587 m

593 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374358 5849105 688 m 449 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374431 5848868 587 m

594 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374357 5849103 688 m 450 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374427 5848879 587 m

595 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374352 5849095 686 m 451 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374426 5848882 585 m

596 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374349 5849090 686 m 452 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374426 5848889 587 m

597 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374343 5849084 689 m 453 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374424 5848899 587 m

598 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374333 5849078 690 m 454 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374427 5848902 587 m

599 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374327 5849070 692 m 455 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374423 5848912 587 m

600 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374323 5849068 685 m 456 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374420 5848913 587 m

601 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374319 5849063 688 m 457 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374416 5848916 586 m

602 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374309 5849050 690 m 458 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374411 5848920 585 m

603 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374307 5849039 689 m 459 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374402 5848933 585 m

604 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374306 5849037 688 m 460 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374396 5848936 586 m

605 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374310 5849022 691 m 461 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374397 5848937 586 m

606 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374311 5849019 692 m 462 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374391 5848942 584 m

607 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374312 5849012 691 m 463 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374389 5848948 584 m

608 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374323 5849009 685 m 464 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374384 5848952 583 m

609 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374322 5849007 689 m 465 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374376 5848957 582 m

610 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374322 5849007 689 m 466 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374366 5848969 580 m

611 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374321 5848999 693 m 467 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374365 5848973 579 m

612 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374325 5848986 691 m 468 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374356 5848978 577 m

613 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374326 5848984 693 m 469 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374355 5848980 576 m

614 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374326 5848971 691 m 470 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374351 5848995 574 m

615 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374324 5848962 694 m 471 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374348 5849005 574 m

616 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374321 5848955 695 m 472 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374348 5849012 572 m

617 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374321 5848949 693 m 473 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374347 5849025 570 m

618 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374332 5848935 694 m 474 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374344 5849030 569 m

619 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374333 5848933 694 m 475 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374343 5849034 569 m

620 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374336 5848924 692 m 476 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374355 5849048 569 m

621 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374333 5848919 694 m 477 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374361 5849053 568 m

622 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374336 5848899 693 m 478 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374362 5849062 565 m

623 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374335 5848892 696 m 479 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374369 5849068 565 m

624 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374339 5848888 690 m 480 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374378 5849075 564 m

625 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374343 5848882 694 m 481 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374378 5849080 563 m

626 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374344 5848879 695 m 482 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374383 5849089 563 m

627 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374345 5848873 697 m 483 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374383 5849096 561 m

628 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374347 5848865 690 m 484 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374390 5849103 562 m

629 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374346 5848856 696 m 485 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374388 5849123 560 m

630 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374346 5848855 694 m 486 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374386 5849131 558 m

631 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374344 5848846 697 m 487 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374385 5849137 557 m

632 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374343 5848843 699 m 488 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374384 5849145 556 m

633 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374340 5848835 696 m 489 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374386 5849153 555 m

634 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374343 5848827 698 m 490 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374385 5849163 552 m

635 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374344 5848822 700 m 491 ◄ - Demarcation Tape 55 H 374382 5849181 548 m

636 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374346 5848823 697 m

637 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374352 5848832 697 m 519 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374368 5849054 573 m

638 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374351 5848843 696 m 520 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374372 5849051 575 m

639 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374356 5848855 697 m 521 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374375 5849050 575 m

640 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374357 5848865 693 m 522 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374378 5849055 575 m

641 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374358 5848863 692 m 523 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374379 5849057 574 m

642 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374367 5848860 691 m 524 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374378 5849056 573 m

643 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374368 5848858 692 m 525 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374397 5849059 576 m

644 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374371 5848856 692 m 526 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374394 5849063 574 m

645 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374378 5848850 692 m 527 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374394 5849063 573 m

646 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374381 5848844 695 m 528 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374395 5849065 573 m

647 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374383 5848844 693 m 529 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374392 5849070 571 m

648 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374388 5848839 695 m 530 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374392 5849073 571 m

649 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374395 5848838 695 m 531 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374395 5849079 571 m

650 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374397 5848838 696 m 532 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374399 5849087 571 m

651 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374408 5848818 696 m 533 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374393 5849091 570 m

652 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374411 5848818 695 m 534 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374387 5849092 567 m

5011 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374506 5848749 721 m 535 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374385 5849092 567 m

5021 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374464 5848773 717 m 536 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374383 5849100 566 m

5031 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374465 5848765 714 m 537 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374387 5849103 567 m

5041 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374469 5848767 717 m 538 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374389 5849107 567 m

5051 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374475 5848768 718 m 539 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374387 5849115 567 m

5061 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374476 5848768 717 m 540 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374391 5849121 566 m

5071 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374476 5848768 715 m 541 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374395 5849131 566 m

5081 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374479 5848770 717 m 542 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374395 5849138 566 m

5091 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374478 5848775 717 m 543 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374398 5849143 565 m

5101 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374474 5848777 717 m 544 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374402 5849148 565 m

5111 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374465 5848787 715 m 545 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374407 5849150 565 m

5121 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374457 5848790 716 m 546 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374407 5849152 564 m

5131 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374455 5848793 711 m 547 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374407 5849153 563 m

5141 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374451 5848800 710 m 548 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374405 5849155 562 m

5151 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374447 5848806 713 m 549 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374400 5849157 561 m

5161 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374444 5848808 712 m 550 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374398 5849164 560 m

5171 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374440 5848814 712 m 551 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374398 5849167 560 m

5181 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374438 5848817 709 m 552 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374406 5849160 560 m

5191 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374421 5848834 710 m 553 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374407 5849163 562 m

5201 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374417 5848840 714 m 554 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374417 5849161 564 m

5211 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374418 5848840 714 m 555 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374419 5849163 564 m

5221 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374418 5848840 715 m 556 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374421 5849158 566 m

5231 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374417 5848845 716 m 557 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374422 5849158 566 m

5241 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374413 5848848 711 m 558 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374422 5849157 564 m

5251 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374414 5848848 711 m 559 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374430 5849157 564 m

5261 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374409 5848851 711 m 560 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374435 5849155 566 m

5271 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374402 5848855 709 m 561 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374439 5849154 566 m

5281 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374401 5848855 708 m 562 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374444 5849151 566 m

5291 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374398 5848860 707 m 563 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374444 5849154 565 m

5301 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374395 5848863 706 m 564 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374446 5849160 563 m

5311 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374389 5848862 703 m 565 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374457 5849163 561 m

5321 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374378 5848872 703 m 566 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374464 5849162 561 m

5331 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374380 5848874 704 m 567 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374472 5849160 561 m

5341 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374380 5848877 703 m 568 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374480 5849158 560 m

5351 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374378 5848884 704 m 569 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374485 5849162 559 m

5361 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374380 5848886 705 m 4591 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374361 5849062 703 m

5371 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374378 5848890 707 m 4601 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374360 5849051 705 m

5381 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374375 5848901 704 m 4611 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374359 5849044 706 m

5391 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374374 5848913 707 m 4621 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374366 5849041 709 m

5401 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374372 5848918 707 m 4631 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374366 5849032 711 m

5411 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374365 5848927 705 m 4641 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374388 5849020 715 m

5421 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374361 5848930 702 m 4651 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374381 5849010 716 m

5431 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374358 5848936 700 m 4661 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374382 5848994 718 m

5441 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374347 5848951 701 m 4671 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374390 5848973 718 m

5451 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374343 5848957 701 m 4681 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374397 5848972 722 m

5461 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374338 5848972 699 m 4691 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374406 5848972 723 m

5471 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374339 5848976 699 m 4701 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374400 5848956 722 m

5481 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374339 5848980 696 m 4711 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374411 5848957 722 m

5491 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374340 5848987 698 m 4721 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374410 5848946 723 m

5501 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374341 5848994 698 m 4731 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374402 5848936 719 m

5511 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374340 5848997 696 m 4741 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374409 5848934 722 m

5521 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374339 5849000 694 m 4751 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374422 5848926 720 m

5531 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374334 5849009 685 m 4761 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374429 5848927 724 m

5541 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374327 5849019 693 m 4771 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374429 5848926 723 m

5551 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374327 5849019 693 m 4781 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374427 5848906 722 m

5561 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374321 5849030 694 m 4791 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374431 5848899 722 m

5571 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374323 5849032 695 m 4801 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374442 5848886 726 m

5581 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374320 5849039 695 m 4811 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374440 5848874 720 m

5591 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374320 5849041 695 m 4821 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374446 5848869 725 m

5601 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374329 5849052 695 m 4831 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374453 5848876 727 m

5611 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374331 5849060 693 m 4841 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374453 5848893 725 m

5621 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374332 5849064 692 m 4851 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374459 5848901 730 m

5631 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374341 5849066 695 m 4861 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374466 5848899 732 m

5641 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374348 5849071 691 m 4871 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374474 5848891 733 m

5651 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374348 5849076 694 m 4881 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374463 5848878 729 m

5661 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374349 5849076 692 m 4891 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374464 5848872 725 m

5671 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374353 5849079 695 m 4901 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374473 5848868 732 m

5681 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374356 5849081 694 m 4911 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374491 5848865 733 m

5691 ● - Ecotone 55 H 374357 5849085 693 m 4921 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374494 5848867 738 m

4931 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374497 5848872 740 m

4941 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374516 5848861 741 m

4951 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374517 5848851 738 m

4961 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374520 5848849 745 m

4971 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374534 5848862 746 m

4981 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374548 5848854 749 m

4991 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374557 5848870 747 m

5001 ■ - Logging Activity 55 H 374581 5848871 747 m

655 ◙ - Oil Drums 55 H 374410 5849123 690 m

Log

land

ing

loca

tion

(app

roxi

ma

te e

x ten

t)

40m

40m

40m

40m

COOL TEMPERATE RAINFOREST

ECOLOGICAL RAINFOREST BUFFER

YE

LL

OW

DIN

DI R

OA

D

Results - 3Figure 1(a) [north].Key Guide Investigationsin coupe 299-510-0002

40m

40m

40m

40m

ECOLOGICAL R

AINFOREST B

UFFER

COOL TEM

PERATE RAIN

FOREST

Figure 1(b) [south].Key Guide Investigationsin coupe 299-510-0002

DiscussionTable 1.Rainforest and logging activity data was collected from only a select area of the coupe and the rainforest stand. Neither entire coupe boundaries nor all logging activities within ecological rainforest buffer areas, or the full extent of the rainforest in the area have been recorded and displayed in this table or the subsequent map. See Figure A. and Figure 1. for a coupe/study location context.

Figure 1.The map presented in Figure 1. (broken in to two connecting parts; 1(a) and 1(b)) shows the “rainforest extent” line in green symbols, and the proximity of the nearest logging activity discovered at the time in red symbols (usually a bulldozer track or felled tree). The “red flags” indicate the coupe boundary as marked out using blue “flagging tape” by VicForests. The black circles mapped over this data is a 40m radiation from the mapped rainforest extent and demonstrates where the relevant mandatory rainforest buffers should have been placed and where they have subsequently been breached or intended to be breached if the coupe were logged to its scheduled extent. The blue line additionally plotted on this map further indicates where the 40m ecological rainforest buffers must minimally extend to throughout this study location.

Rainforest stands present at the site (in and around the scheduled coupe boundary) exceed the minimum area for recognition and protection of 0.1ha as defined in Appendix 1 to the relevant FFGA Action Statement #238 (See Appendix A to this report).

Conclusions/Recommendations1. The rainforest stand in the gully under investigation exceeds 0.4ha.

2. The blue line; "Mandatory 40m Ecological Rainforest Buffer" is plotted at a distance of 40m upslope from the plotted "Ecotone" shown in green.

3. The distance between the green and blue lines is thus the "40m ecological rainforest buffer" within which all logging activity should be absent.

4. Coupe demarcation tapes have been recorded within the ecological rainforest buffer constituting a breach by VicForests of the relevant rainforest regulation prescriptions

5. Logging activity has been recorded within the ecological rainforest buffer constituting a breach by the logging contractors operating in coupe 299-510-0002 of the relevant rainforest protection prescriptions.

6. Logging operations are ongoing within the coupe.

7. If the coupe continues to be logged to the boundaries as marked out by VicForests the regulatory framework governing all forestry operations in Victoria's State Forest will further be breached.

8. The Department of Sustainability and Environment must act to halt the contractors working in 299-510-0002 from further logging in areas required for the "ecological rainforest buffer".

9. The Department must ensure VicForests ceases marking out and instructing logging contractors to destroy and remove areas of Victorian State Forest which are not allocated for logging.

10. The Department must hold each of the participating organisations accountable for breaching all relevant legislation governing forestry operations on public land.

APPENDIX A

Exert from: Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1998) Action Statement #238 Cool Temperate Rainforest [et. al.], Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, June 2009, pages 19 and 20.

APPENDIX A (continued)

Log landing location(approximate extent)

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APPENDIX BFigure 2. Overview of study location

Log landing location(approximate extent)

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APPENDIX CFigure 2.Rainforest - Sclerophyll forest ecotone b/w Waypoint 576 and 577.Differential species in image: Parsonsia brownii (Twining Silkpod) and Atherosperma moschatum (Southern Sassafras)

Figure 3.Logging activity within and at edge of ecological rainforest buffer. Note oil drums within buffer at 37m from wp576.